Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Lipid Digestion01:06

Lipid Digestion

Lipids are large molecules that are generally not water-soluble. Since most of the digestive enzymes in the human body are water-based, there are specific steps the body must take to break down lipids and make them available for use.
Enzyme Inhibition01:30

Enzyme Inhibition

Inhibitors are molecules that reduce enzyme activity by binding to the enzyme. In a normally functioning cell, enzymes are regulated by a variety of inhibitors. Drugs and other toxins can also inhibit enzymes. Some inhibitors bind to the enzyme’s active site, while others inhibit enzymatic activity by binding to other sites on the protein structure.
Overview of Lipid Metabolism01:24

Overview of Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, which...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Optimising immunisations for children with needle phobia and/or developmental disorders: a retrospective audit to inform policy and practice in Australia.

Vaccine·2026
Same author

<i>In vitro</i> effect of omentin-1 on porcine ovarian follicular steroidogenesis: Role of insulin receptor, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and protein kinase A signaling pathways.

Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society·2025
Same author

Effect of vaspin on endocrine function in human placenta. <i>In vitro</i> studies on BeWo cells and villous explants from the third trimester of pregnancy.

Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society·2025
Same author

Validation of a New Measurement Device (Perikit®) For Perimetry and Volumetry of The Lower Limb: Metrological and Intra-Observer Comparative Study.

Lymphology·2025
Same author

Optical Imaging and Absolute Absorption Cross Section Measurement of Individual Nano-objects on Opaque Substrates: Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes on Silicon.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2025
Same author

Cutaneous peri-ocular involvement in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro
09:41

Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro

Published on: March 17, 2023

Structural basis for human monoglyceride lipase inhibition.

T Bertrand1, F Augé, J Houtmann

  • 1Department of Structural Biology, Sanofi-Aventis, 13 Quai Jules Guesde, 94403 Vitry-sur-Seine cedex, France. thomas.bertrand@sanofi-aventis.com

Journal of Molecular Biology
|December 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals the first crystal structures of human monoglyceride lipase (MGL), an enzyme crucial for brain signaling. The structures highlight MGL

More Related Videos

Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice
07:57

Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice

Published on: November 24, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro
09:41

Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro

Published on: March 17, 2023

Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice
07:57

Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice

Published on: November 24, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Monoglyceride lipase (MGL) hydrolyzes 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand.
  • 2-AG plays a role in various physiological processes within the brain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the first crystal structures of human MGL.
  • To visualize MGL in its apo form and in complex with a covalent inhibitor, SAR629.
  • To provide a structural basis for understanding MGL function and drug discovery.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography was used to obtain the apo and inhibitor-bound structures of human MGL.
  • Structural analysis focused on the enzyme's fold, catalytic triad, binding site, and inhibitor interactions.

Main Results:

  • Human MGL exhibits a classic alpha/beta hydrolase fold with a large, occluded hydrophobic tunnel and a flexible lid.
  • The catalytic triad is located at the end of the tunnel, and the binding site for 2-AG has been characterized.
  • The structure of MGL bound to SAR629 reveals key interactions for covalent inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • The unique structural features of MGL, including its tunnel and flexible lid, suggest high druggability.
  • These crystal structures provide a valuable template for the rational design of novel MGL inhibitors for therapeutic applications.